Custom drug testing: a new way to match RA patients with their ideal treatment
NCT ID NCT06016517
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jul 23, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study aims to learn which FDA-approved rheumatoid arthritis (RA) medication works best for each individual patient. Researchers will enroll 18 adults with newly diagnosed, moderately to severely active RA. Participants will try up to four different RA drugs in a random order and report their pain, symptoms, and quality of life through regular questionnaires. The goal is to see if a personalized N-of-1 trial design can help doctors choose the most effective treatment for each person.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 18 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Sep 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2028
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Outpatients 18 years of age or older with newly diagnosed RA following initial treatment with MTX, to which they are partial responders or non-responders.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
In order to be eligible to participate in this study, a subject must meet all the following criteria: * Newly diagnosed adult-onset Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) as defined by the American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism (ACR/EULAR) 2021 Criteria for the Classification of RA * Moderately to severely active RA defined as the presence of at least 6/68 tender joints and at least 6/66 swollen joints * C-reactive protein (CRP) or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) measurement ≥ 1 time the upper limit of normal * First-line therapy with MTX for at least the 12 weeks prior to study entry with a continuous, non-changing dose for at least 8 weeks prior to study entry but continue to exhibit active RA * Had to discontinue MTX due to intolerability or toxicity, irrespective of treatment duration * Have never received etanercept, adalimumab, upadacitinib, or tocilizumab prior to first dose of study drug. * Provision of informed consent in English or another language in which a validated consent form is available, or via short-form consent with the assistance of a qualified interpreter. * Stated willingness to comply with all study procedures and availability for the duration of the study * 18 years of age or older * Ability to take oral medication and be willing to adhere to all treatment periods * Patients are eligible whether their disease responded partially or inadequately to first-line MTX or if they were intolerant to first-line MTX * Enrollment in an insurance plan that participates in or is subscribed to this trial An individual who meets any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in this study: * History of any arthritis with onset prior to age 17 years or current diagnosis of inflammatory joint disease other than RA * Has received intra-articular, intravenous, intramuscular corticosteroids within 28 days prior to baseline * Known allergic reactions to components of any of the investigative biologic agents * Is currently receiving corticosteroids at doses \> (greater than) 10 mg per day of prednisone (or equivalent) or have been receiving an unstable dosing regimen of corticosteroids within 2 weeks of study entry or within 6 weeks of planned randomization * Has experienced any of the following within 12 weeks of study entry: myocardial infarction, unstable ischemic heart disease, stroke, or have New York Heart Association stage IV heart failure * Tuberculosis infection * Hepatitis B or C infection * History of venous thromboembolic event (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism) * Has a history or presence of cardiovascular, respiratory, hepatic, gastrointestinal, endocrine, hematological, neurological, or neuropsychiatric disorders or any other serious and/or unstable illness that, in the opinion of the investigator, could constitute a risk or could interfere with the interpretation of data * Has an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) based on the most recent available serum creatinine of \< (less than) 40 milliliter per minute per 1.73 m\^2 (mL/min/1.73 m\^2) * Has a history of chronic liver disease with the most recent available aspartate aminotransferase (AST) or alanine aminotransferase (ALT) \>1.5 times the ULN or the most recent available total bilirubin ≥1.5 times the ULN * Has a history of, lymphoproliferative disease; or have signs or symptoms suggestive of possible lymphoproliferative disease, including lymphadenopathy or splenomegaly; or have active primary or recurrent malignant disease; or have been in remission from clinically significant malignancy for \<5 years * Has been exposed to a live vaccine within 12 weeks prior to planned randomization or are expected to need/receive a live vaccine during the course of the study (with the exception of herpes zoster vaccination) * Has a current or recent clinically serious viral, bacterial, fungal, or parasitic infection * Has had symptomatic herpes zoster infection within 12 weeks prior to study entry * Has immunocompromising condition and, in the opinion of the investigator, are at an unacceptable risk for participating in the study and using these medications * Has a history of active hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)\* * Has evidence of active or latent tuberculosis (TB) * Current hospitalization or requiring hospital admission at screening * Pregnant or breastfeeding * Of childbearing potential, unwilling to use effective birth control method (highly effective contraceptive measure (e.g., combined (estrogen and progestogen containing) hormonal contraception; intrauterine device) * Participation in another therapeutic clinical trial for RA * Lack of internet access to telehealth platform State who will determine eligibility. Note that those who are designated to determine eligibility must have appropriate training, expertise, and oversight, for example a physician PI or Co-I on a biomedical study: Eligibility will be determined by the appropriately trained and delegated physician investigator or physician Co- investigator.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Tufts Medical Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02111, United States
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